diminutive Hear it!

diminutive Definition

di·minu·tive (də minyo̵̅o̅ tiv, -yə-)

adjective

  1. much smaller than ordinary or average; very small; tiny
  2. Gram. expressing smallness or diminution a diminutive suffix or name

Etymology: ME & OFr diminutif < LL diminutivus < pp. of L deminuere, diminish

noun

  1. a very small person or thing
    1. a word or name formed from another by the addition of a suffix expressing smallness in size or, sometimes, endearment or condescension, as ringlet (ring + -let), Jackie (Jack + -ie), lambkin (lamb + -kin)
    2. such a suffix

diminutive Related Forms

di·minu·tively adverb di·minu·tive·ness noun

diminutive Synonyms

diminutive

modif.

small, tiny, mini*; see little 1, minute 1. See syn. study at small.

diminutive Usage Examples

Adjective modifier

other: Other diminutives include Ann ( Hannah ), Nelly ( Ellen or Helen ) and Peggy ( Margaret ).

Used with adjective complement

look: You will find thought that these huge looking pools on their racks in the garden centers look quite diminutive once installed in the ground.

Modifies a noun

  • stature: He was successful in the entrance exam, only to fail the medical on account of his diminutive stature.
  • midfielder: The diminutive midfielder is a fantastic thing to have â a goalscoring one.
  • striker: Peter Adeniyi moved in to challenge the diminutive striker, who instantly went to ground.
  • size: They had a capacity for hard work far in excess of their diminutive size.
  • dimension: The Reference 100 has the same diminutive dimensions as the award winning Pro 50, but includes a few extra muscular implants.
  • singer: Like the diminutive singer herself, Kylie Minogue's business empire is small but perfectly formed.

Modifying Another Word

  • rather: I made myself a couple of sandwiches with the rather diminutive loaf of bread I'd bought from the shop on the way home.
  • so: Can you conceive of a man's getting himself into a sweat over so diminutive a provocation?
  • somewhat: Much to her dismay she finds the place predictably conservative and even somewhat diminutive of a woman's role in society.
  • very: Occasionally a very diminutive wife and children are thrown in, who did not appear to count for much.
  • relatively: The wheel at each corner design maximizes the interior dimensions and allows the Getz to offer generous accommodation despite its relatively diminutive size.
  • equally: When Tommy retired, another equally diminutive man named Copley took his place.

Preposition: in

  • stature: Andy Robinson and Leon Britton, for example, are quite diminutive in stature, but they're both very good players.
  • size: The Toy dogs are small, even diminutive in size.

Browse dictionary entries near diminutive

  1. diminution
  2. diminuendo
  3. diminishing returns
  4. diminished capacity
  5. diminished
  6. diminish
  7. dimin
  8. dimidiate
  9. dimetric projection
  10. dimethyl sulfoxide
  1. dimity
  2. dimmer
  3. dimorphism
  4. dimout
  5. dimple
  6. dimwit
  7. din
  8. din-din
  9. Dinah
  10. dinar